Home » LiteratureVangamaya041

Secrets of 100 years of healthy and hearty life (Jivem Shardah Shatam): Vangamaya Vol-41

Health is a natural facet of liveliness – both by definition and realization. The Indian rishis (sages and scientists of yore) had attributed the secret of “jivem shardah shatam” – hundred years of vigorous, healthy, happy and creative life – to the total harmony of the mode of living with the Nature and the spiritual inheritance of life. Longevity and total health were common observations in the world those days….. Our rishis had investigated the formulae for ideal maintenance of health and youthfulness and devised the methods of practicing them in day-to-day life…. Their approach was focused primarily on the science of consciousness and dealt with the arousal and harmonious use of the vital power in auto-regulation of the body functions rather than control of the latter by adjusting the (bio)chemical reactions and physiological activities as is largely practiced in the modern sciences of medicine.
Although the reminiscence of the comprehensive approach of the ancient times are seen today partly in the dedicated practices of “swasthya yoga” and in naturopathy or herbal medicine based therapies, the materialization of “jivem shardah shatam” is far from the horizons of reality in the present age. After about two centuries of dominance of Allopathic and related approaches of medical treatment, its limitations and incompleteness are by and large being felt by people from all sections of the society – including the Biomedical Scientists. The side-effects of antibiotics and near total inability of the modern system of medicine in combating the increasing complexities of psychiatric and psychosomatic disorders have raised major causes of concern.
Despite extensive research and advancement of different disciplines of biomedical sciences and technology, decipheration of the endocrine system and treatment of hormonal diseases and disorders continues to pose challenges…. Noting the influence of mental conditions on brain functions and on the endocrine secretions, some researchers have started looking into the ancient system of medicine more carefully as the latter had intensive bearing upon deeper study of the human mind…. The inclusion of music and color therapies in the practices of treatment in several reputed hospitals these days and increasing interest of researchers in applications of herbal medicine (Ayurveda) and yoga stand as witness to these trends.
The present volume together with the volume nos. 39, 40 and 42 of this series will serve like comprehensive reference text for in-depth research in above direction to devise a new and effective medical system for total health and longevity. The non-researchers or laymen too would equally benefit from the knowledge, guidance, modes of treatment and ‘tips’ of health-management provided in these volumes.
While the methods and materials and details on therapeutic use and self-practice of the alternate systems of medicine – including yoga, Ayurveda, naturopathy, chromo-therapy, etc, along with similar details on nursing and preparations of herbal medicines for a wide range of diseases are covered in the earlier two volumes, the present volume focuses on the philosophy and science of total health – encompassing spiritual and mental health too. The topics like “kayakalpa” – transmutation of a diseased and weak body into a healthy and vigorous one – pertaining to the so called ‘esoteric’ domains of the science of spirituality are also included here. The possibilities of “kaya kalpa” in terms of longevity and evergreen youthfulness are discussed at length in the next volume of this Vangmaya series.
Why does one fall sick? Why the same kinds of external causes, driven by germs, contaminated water, pollution, etc, are reflected at varied degrees of diseases or negative effects in different people? What is the role of vital energy in exerting the resistance of the body against the attack of diseases and in improving its stamina? How could the levels of vital energy be escalated in routine life…? Do the auto regulatory activities, immune mechanism, intra-body functions, metabolism, hormonal secretions, ….etc, depend upon the state of mind, way of thinking and quality of sentiments?
The philosophy and science of healthy life as discussed in this volume focus on the above kinds of fundamental questions…. It elucidates the concept of pancha tatva – the five basic elements, prithvi, jala, vayu, agni and akasha – used in the ‘creation’ of body and mind… In this context, this volume elaborates upon how the refinement and harmonious balance of these could result in natural cure of any disease. The yoga sadhanas associated with the ‘perception’ – of prithvi by the sadhanas of smell, jala by those of taste, agni by expertise in vision of the body’s energy aura, vayu by extrasensory sensation through touch and akasha by the sadhanas involving subtle power of sound – and ‘cure’ of the level and quality of these basic elements as discussed here are rare to find elsewhere.
The practices of upawasa (fasting) and yoga-kriyas on regular basis are emphasized here as part of the subject matters of “preventive medicines” and “cure without medicines”. The author has also highlighted the different kinds of diseases in this context. The list includes – the diseases and problems resulting from or aggravated because of constipation or due to persistence of the habits of over-eating, etc; the disorders and deficiencies generated by the accumulation of mental stress…. etc. It is indeed like an eye-opener to read how the simple practices of upawasa and yoga-kriyas can clean the body from inside and also subdue the ‘heat’ of tensions from the mind.
The guidelines presented here remind us how the otherwise unnoticed factors like quantity and quality of meals, timings and modes of eating, amount of water to be consumed by drinking and absorption through the skin, etc could play extremely important role in regulation of our health… We will also find illustrative examples and explanations on how minor changes in the routine, mode of living and attitude can prove to be of great help in stress-management.
Experiments on ancient and alternate systems of medicine – e.g., naturopathy, chromopathy (solar medicine), music therapy, yoga–sadhanas of asana, pranayam and meditation, herbal or plant medicines, …. etc, are being conducted separately in some centers in different parts of the world today. Acharya Sharma had inspired research on collective as well as separate effects of these methods of medical treatment in the Brahmvarchas research centre established by him at Shantikunj, Hardwar in 1978. Descriptions on the findings of the research conducted in this centre and those reported by some other laboratories are also highlighted in this volume.
The unique feature of Acharya Sharma’s approach is that he has also linked yagyopathy and mantra-chikitsa which have proved to be most effective and accelerating the positive effects of the other methods mentioned above. Even some otherwise ‘incurable’ diseases have been cured by the methods suggested by him in the above connection. His approach to Ayurveda is novel too because he pioneered chemical, botanical and pharmaceutical analysis of the fresh herbs from Himalayan region vis-à-vis the descriptions cited in the ancient scriptures like “Charaka Samhita”….. He also guided research on – why many of the popular Ayurvedic medicines available in the market do not show the marvellous effects they were supposed to be having in the ancient times? Important results have been derived from these studies at Brahmvarchas laboratories which would give innovative and significantly important directions to current practices of preparation and use of Ayurvedic medicines.
The pharmacy at Brahmvarchas, Shantikunj has come out with hundreds of new and truly effective herbal drugs, brain tonics and healthy substitutes of tea and coffee… It is perhaps for the first time in the modern age that an expiry date is labelled on all herbal preparations emphasizing the freshness of the plant-extracts. Findings of this research indicate six months as the maximum period on an average for several of such products. The scientific aspects of ancient system of herbal or plant medicine – keeping in mind the drastic changes in the climatic conditions and living habits in the modern times, along with some of the above mentioned research works are also highlighted in this volume.
Acharya Sharma was a great saint, spiritual master and scientist par excellence, for whom, the sole purpose of research was – altruist service and welfare. He believed in expansion of knowledge to enlighten every heart and mind. He had not only extracted the nectar of knowledge from ancient sciences on total health and ultimate medicine, rather, also arranged for its applications by appropriate research in modern laboratories (of Brahmvarchas) and generating public awareness on the same through his “Gayatri Pariwar” mission. Apart from distributing its herbal products at “no profit no loss basis”, the mission’s centre at Shantikunj also provides practical guidance, seeds and plants to all interested people to help them maintain their own nurseries or gardens.
Several of the useful plants like those of Holy Basil, Mint, Coriander, Tomato, Ginger, Fenugreek, etc. can also be grown in pots. These and other herbs like Turmeric, Aniseed, Stamen, Giloya (Tinospora), Garden-Thyme, Garlic, Amla (Ambelica), etc, which are frequently used in Indian cuisine are very useful in curing a number of diseases. Information on these as given in this volume should inspire the readers to maintain the “masala vatikas” (domestic herbal gardens) of such spice-cum-medicinal plants for the benefit of their families and neighbors…..
Acharya Sharma’s sincere efforts for creative integration of ancient and modern sciences – especially in the context of “total health”, are unique and absolutely promising because of the incorporation of spirituality along with refinement of psychology for activation and perfect use of the vital power and simultaneous attainment of viable health of the mind, body and the inner self….
Perspicuous analysis of spirituality in scientific light and propagation of its practical use and adoption in day-to-day life is indeed a great contribution of Acharya Sharma’s literature and the constructive programs of his mission. Recognizing this, the human society will remain grateful to him for ages….
What Acharya Sharma had written or guided on “Total Health” was completely practised by him in his own life. His life stood as a shining example of the fact that “jivem shardah shatam” can indeed be realized even today…., if we all learn and endeavor to follow what has been guided by him in these volumes.